Horacio Ramírez

1. Overview

Horacio Ramírez, born on November 24, 1979, in Carson, California, is a Mexican-American former professional baseball pitcher and current coach. A left-handed pitcher, Ramírez played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He also had a stint in the KBO League with the Kia Tigers and played in various independent professional baseball leagues, including a significant comeback with the Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League. Following his playing career, Ramírez transitioned into coaching, serving in roles for the Atlanta Braves organization and as a bullpen coach for the Mexico national baseball team in international competitions.

2. Personal Background

Horacio Ramírez was born on November 24, 1979, in Carson, California, United States. He is of Mexican heritage, with his parents having immigrated from Jalostotitlán, Jalisco, Mexico.

3. Playing Career

Horacio Ramírez's professional baseball career as a left-handed pitcher spanned Major League Baseball, the Korea Baseball Organization, and various independent and international leagues, marked by both promising starts and challenges including injuries and team transitions.

3.1. Major League Baseball (MLB)

Ramírez's Major League Baseball career began in 2003 and included stints with five different teams, primarily as a starting pitcher before transitioning to a bullpen role later in his career.

3.1.1. Atlanta Braves

Ramírez was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 5th round (172nd overall) of the 1997 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut for the Braves on April 2, 2003. In his rookie season, he finished with a notable 12-4 win-loss record and a 4.00 ERA in 29 starts, reaching the minimum innings pitched for the season. His strong performance earned him a selection to the [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_12_62/ai_110471518/pg_8/ Baseball Digest All-Star Rookie team].

In 2004, Ramírez started the season well, posting a 2-4 record with a 2.28 ERA in his first nine starts. However, he suffered a shoulder injury on May 30 and was placed on the disabled list, not returning to action until September 26. Despite the injury setback, he finished the year with a 2.39 ERA over 10 games (9 starts) and 60.1 innings pitched.

The 2005 season saw Ramírez achieve a career milestone, pitching over 200 innings for the first time. He concluded the season with an 11-9 record and a 4.63 ERA in 33 games, 32 of which were starts. He remained a key part of the Braves' rotation in 2006 as the number 3 starter, recording a 5-5 record with a 4.48 ERA in 14 starts before being traded.

3.1.2. Seattle Mariners

On December 6, 2006, the Atlanta Braves traded Ramírez to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Rafael Soriano. In his single season with the Mariners in 2007, Ramírez posted an 8-7 record but struggled with a high 7.16 ERA in 20 starts. He was subsequently released by the Mariners on March 12, 2008.

Horacio Ramírez pitching for the Seattle Mariners.

3.1.3. Kansas City Royals

After his release from the Mariners, Ramírez signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals on May 21, 2008. He pitched in 15 games for the Royals primarily out of the bullpen, achieving a 1-1 record with a 2.59 ERA.

3.1.4. Chicago White Sox

On August 9, 2008, Ramírez was traded from the Kansas City Royals to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for outfielder Paulo Orlando. His tenure with the White Sox was brief, appearing in 17 games in a relief role, recording an 0-3 record with a 7.62 ERA. He became a free agent after the 2008 season.

3.1.5. Kansas City Royals

Ramírez returned to the Kansas City Royals on December 11, 2008, signing a one-year deal. He pitched in 19 games, including one start, for the Royals in 2009, going 0-2 with a 5.96 ERA. On June 6, he was designated for assignment by the Royals.

3.1.6. Washington Nationals

Following his release from the Kansas City Royals, Horacio Ramírez signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals on June 15, 2009. He spent the remainder of the season in their minor league system and became a free agent on November 9, 2009.

3.1.7. San Francisco Giants

On February 1, 2010, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He remained with the organization for a brief period before becoming a free agent on November 6, 2010.

3.1.8. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Ramírez signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on March 11, 2011. On July 20, 2011, the Angels purchased his contract, bringing him back to the major leagues. He worked out of the bullpen, going 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA, allowing 16 hits in nine innings over 12 games. He became a free agent after the 2011 season, marking his final appearance in Major League Baseball.

3.2. Korea Baseball Organization (KBO)

After his MLB career, Ramírez sought opportunities in international leagues, including the Korea Baseball Organization.

3.2.1. Kia Tigers

On February 20, 2012, Horacio Ramírez signed with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. His arrival in Korea was delayed due to shoulder inflammation, causing him to join the first team late. Upon his debut, he made one start, but was pulled after just 2 innings pitched. Ramírez reportedly preferred a bullpen role, which conflicted with manager Sun Dong-yol's desire for a starting pitcher. This disagreement, coupled with his injury, led to the Kia Tigers acquiring Henry Sosa on May 24, 2012, and subsequently waiving Ramírez on June 5, 2012. He finished his KBO stint with a 2-1 record and a 3.86 ERA in a limited number of appearances.

3.3. Independent Leagues

Following his time in MLB and the KBO, Ramírez continued his playing career in various independent professional baseball leagues.

3.3.1. Lancaster Barnstormers

On June 15, 2012, after his release from the Kia Tigers, Ramírez signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In his initial stint, he appeared in 12 games (6 starts), pitching 36.2 innings pitched with a 2-0 record, a 1.96 ERA, and 22 strikeouts.

3.3.2. Toros de Tijuana

Ramírez began a significant professional comeback by signing with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League on March 5, 2016. In 2016, he started 21 games, logging a 6-4 record and a 4.15 ERA with 49 strikeouts over 102.0 innings pitched. He continued with the Toros in 2017, starting 11 games and posting a 4-3 record with a 4.06 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 62.0 innings pitched. In 2018, he made 16 appearances (12 starts), recording a 3-2 record with a 3.94 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 64.0 innings pitched.

For the 2019 season, Ramírez made 32 appearances for the Toros, achieving a 4-0 record with a 2.60 ERA and 9 strikeouts in 34.2 innings pitched. He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 8, 2021, Ramírez re-signed with the Toros. In 2021, he made 12 appearances (10 starts), working to a 3-3 record with a 4.50 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 50.0 innings pitched. He did not play for the team in 2022 and was released on January 19, 2023.

3.3.3. Tigres de Quintana Roo

On July 5, 2013, Ramírez signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. In his brief stint with the team, he made 6 starts, pitching 40 innings pitched with a 3-2 record, a 3.38 ERA, and 24 strikeouts.

3.3.4. Chicago Cubs

On August 17, 2012, after being released by the Kia Tigers, Ramírez signed with the Chicago Cubs organization, joining their minor league system. He elected free agency after the season on November 2, 2012.

3.3.5. Lancaster Barnstormers

Ramírez returned to play for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on May 11, 2013. In his second stint with the team, he appeared in 9 games (8 starts), pitching 48.2 innings pitched with a 5-1 record, a 3.51 ERA, and 35 strikeouts.

3.4. International Competitions

Horacio Ramírez has represented the Mexican national baseball team in several international tournaments.

3.4.1. World Baseball Classic

Ramírez was part of the Mexico national baseball team roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Later in his career, he transitioned to a coaching role for the national team, serving as the bullpen coach for Team Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

3.4.2. WBSC Premier12

Ramírez participated with the Mexico national baseball team in the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament. The team achieved a bronze medal in the competition, securing a spot in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

4. Coaching Career

After concluding his playing career, Horacio Ramírez transitioned into coaching, taking on various roles within professional baseball organizations.

4.1. Atlanta Braves

On March 10, 2014, the Atlanta Braves announced that Ramírez would be joining their coaching staff as a coaching assistant. In this role, he assisted the coaching staff with on-field duties prior to games and managed the Braves' instant replay protocol from an off-field location during games. He served in this capacity for two years.

Year	Team	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	W	L	HLD	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	WHIP
Major League Baseball
2003	ATL	29	29	1	0	0	12	4	0	4.00	182.1	181	21	72	100	1.39
2004	ATL	10	9	1	0	0	2	4	0	2.39	60.1	51	7	30	31	1.34
2005	ATL	33	32	1	1	0	11	9	0	4.63	202.1	214	31	67	80	1.39
2006	ATL	14	14	0	0	0	5	5	0	4.48	76.1	85	6	31	37	1.52
2007	SEA	20	20	0	0	0	8	7	0	7.16	98.0	139	13	42	40	1.85
2008	KC / CWS	32	0	0	0	0	1	4	0	4.34	37.1	45	1	9	13	1.45
2009	KC	19	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	5.96	22.2	27	3	11	13	1.68
2011	LAA	12	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	6.00	9.0	16	1	2	4	2.00
MLB Career (8 years)		169	105	3	1	0	40	35	0	4.65	688.1	758	83	264	318	1.48
Korea Baseball Organization
2012	KIA	3	1	0	0	0	2	1	0	3.86	7.0	5	0	3	5	1.14

6. Uniform Numbers

Horacio Ramírez wore several uniform numbers throughout his playing career with various MLB and affiliated teams:

30 (2002-2006, Atlanta Braves)
26 (2007, Seattle Mariners)
52 (2008, Kansas City Royals; 2009, Kansas City Royals)
49 (2008, Chicago White Sox; 2011, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
99 (2012, Kia Tigers)
62 (2014-2015, as a coach for the Atlanta Braves)